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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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In this paper, we describe an experiment to calibrate the Optical Sensor on board the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 with data acquired by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). This experiment establishes the suitability of AVIRIS for the calibration of spaceborne sensors in the 400 to 2500 nm spectral region.
This paper presents a novel approach to physical displacement-based power grid measuring via an Intensity Modulated Fiber Optic Sensor (IMFOS). An IMFOS utilizes one fiber to transmit the intensity modulation light from its Electro-Optic controller to a fiber optic probe. The power grid voltage and current can induce physical displacements in transducers via the piezoelectric effect and the Lorentz law, respectively, which then result in a distance change between the optical probe and the reflective surface of the transducers. In parallel, multiple fibers are used to collect the reflective light for electro-optic conversion. Furthermore, a National Instruments-based characterization platform is set up for performance evaluation. Here, the testing result demonstrates that the IMFOS is immune to the inherent DC and low-frequency saturation issues prevalent in conventional potential and current transformers. Finally, the IMFOS is implemented in a Universal Grid Analyzer to illustrate its applicability for phasor estimation in actual power grids.
This work describes the development of an improved vacuum compatible flat plate radiometric source used for characterizing and calibrating remote optical sensors, in situ, throughout their testing period. The original flat plate radiometric source was developed for use by the VIIRS instrument during the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP). Following this effort, the FPI has had significant upgrades in order to improve both the radiometric throughput and uniformity. Results of the VIIRS testing with the reconfigured FPI are reported and discussed.
Optical fiber-based sensors are commonly used for industrial monitoring and control processes due to their small size, resistance to electromagnetic interference, and ability to perform a wide variety of high-precision measurements. However, implementing optical fiber sensors in harsh environments is challenging because they are small and fragile. Proper packaging of fiber-optic sensors could extend their use to harsh environments, including at high temperature and under high radiation. Furthermore, conventional fiber optic-based measurement systems often use computationally expensive signal processing algorithms which hinder their use in high-frequency dynamic applications. This work reports on the design of an optical fiber-pressure sensor system based on low-coherence interferometry that uses a metal-embedded optical fiber to provide a robust sensor package. Additionally, a novel phase demodulation scheme is proposed to extract length changes from the deformation of a thin diaphragm within a Fabry–Pérot cavity to measure pressure. The sensor has been tested to ±100 kPa, has a theoretical linear response over a 270 kPa dynamic range (24 dB maximum signal-to-noise ratio), and can resolve pressure transients up to 3910 kPa/s. Sampling at 100 kHz, the present sensor can resolve 2 kPa dynamic pressures at frequencies up to 2 kHz. Faster transients on the order of tens to hundreds of kHz can theoretically be resolved at the expense of decreasing the maximum resolvable amplitude. A methodology for designing a LCI pressure sensor for a given application is outlined based on the limitations imposed by the Nyquist criterion, the diaphragm's resonant frequency, the LCI optoelectronics, and the phase demodulation scheme. The sensor is the first to implement a low-coherence light source and a Fabry–Pérot interferometer designed to provide real-time high-fidelity pressure measurements using a metal-embedded optical fiber. The demonstrated sensor provides a platform for sensing in harsh conditions such as in nuclear and energy applications.
A pin style bottom anode employs conductive steel rods that serve as the pathway for the high electrical power through rammed refractory at the bottom of a DC Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Anode wear during operation is important to monitor, as anode replacement is expensive and impacts EAF productivity. Liquid steel penetration into the un-sintered refractory layer can result from rapid electrical power ramp-up, dips in furnace temperature, or operating the anode for too long between EAF campaigns. In extreme cases, the liquid steel may penetrate the bottom of the furnace when anode wear progresses too close to the bottom shell, which is extremely dangerous and must be avoided. The current state of the art for monitoring bottom anode wear employs thermocouples imbedded in the anode pins at points in the anode. However, this approach is not sensitive enough to detect localized damage to the anode, especially when cracking occurs. Here, the present work utilizes fiber optic sensors to monitor the health of the anode, by creating a real-time spatially distributed temperature map of the anode. Unlike the traditional thermocouples, these sensors can be mounted at significantly greater depths, provide distributed temperature measurements, and can withstand temperatures of up to 900°C. Additionally, they are able to perform temperature measurements with a spatial resolution of 1.3 mm at a 5 Hz acquisition rate, providing unprecedented high-density real time monitoring of anode health and increasing the efficiency, and safety of EAF operation.
Part 1 of this two part series described the fabrication and calibration of Bragg gratings written into a single mode optical fiber for use in strain and temperature monitoring. Part 2 of the series describes the use of identical fibers and additional multimode fibers, both with and without Bragg gratings, to perform near infrared spectroscopy. The demodulation system being developed at NASA Langley Research Center currently requires the use of a single mode optical fiber. Attempts to use this single mode fiber for spectroscopic analysis are problematic given its small core diameter, resulting in low signal intensity. Nonetheless, we have conducted a preliminary investigation using a single mode fiber in conjunction with an infrared spectrometer to obtain spectra of a high-performance epoxy resin system. Spectra were obtained using single mode fibers that contained Bragg gratings; however, the peaks of interest were barely discernible above the noise. The goal of this research is to provide a multipurpose sensor in a single optical fiber capable of measuring a variety of chemical and physical properties.
A principal objective of the Optical Sensors for Planetary Radiance Energy (OSPREy) activity is to establish an above-water radiometer system as a lower-cost alternative to existing in-water systems for the collection of ground-truth observations. The goal is to be able to make high-quality measurements satisfying the accuracy requirements for the vicarious calibration and algorithm validation of next-generation satellites that make ocean color and atmospheric measurements. This means the measurements will have a documented uncertainty satisfying the established performance metrics for producing climate-quality data records. The OSPREy approach is based on enhancing commercial-off-the-shelf fixed-wavelength and hyperspectral sensors to create hybridspectral instruments with an improved accuracy and spectral resolution, as well as a dynamic range permitting sea, Sun, sky, and Moon observations. Greater spectral diversity in the ultraviolet (UV) will be exploited to separate the living and nonliving components of marine ecosystems; UV bands will also be used to flag and improve atmospheric correction algorithms in the presence of absorbing aerosols. The short-wave infrared (SWIR) is expected to improve atmospheric correction, because the ocean is radiometrically blacker at these wavelengths. This report describes the development of the sensors, including unique capabilities like three-axis polarimetry; the documented uncertainty will be presented in a subsequent report.
This paper addresses the design and development of a fiber-optic monitoring system that can be deployed on existing deepwater risers and flowlines; and provides a summary of test article fabrication and the subsequent laboratory testing performed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC). A major challenge of a post-installed instrumentation system is to ensure adequate coupling between the instruments and the riser or flowline of interest. This work investigates the sensor coupling for pipelines that are suspended in a water column (from topside platform to seabed) using a fiber-optic sensor clamp and subsea bonding adhesive. The study involved the design, fabrication, and test of several prototype clamps that contained fiber-optic sensors. A mold was produced by NASA using 3-D printing methods that allowed the casting of polyurethane clamp test articles to accommodate 4-inch and 8-inch diameter pipes. The prototype clamps were installed with a subsea adhesive in a "wet" environment and then tested in the NASA Structures Test Laboratory (STL). The tension, compression, and bending test data showed that the prototype sensor clamps achieved good structural coupling, and could provide high quality strain measurement for active monitoring.
In this paper we describe recently developed fiber sensors which are capable of monitoring the health of smart-structures. The unobstrusive geometry of these sensors make them an excellent choice for embedding the sensor in composite materials to measure internal states of strain in structures and materials. Some of these sensors have gage lengths that can be tailored from tens of microns to many meters. We will describe various demodulation schemes (Pseudo-Heterodyne, Synthetic-Heterodyne, Homodyne, Differential-Cross Multiplier, and Single Channel Phase-Tracker) to obtain high bandwidth measurements, enabling measurement of static to high frequency impact generated strains with a dynamic response exceeding tens of thousands of microstrains. In addition, we will show that we can tailor the fiber sensor to either measure only strain and reject temperature response or measure only the temperature, or measure both temperature and strain simultaneously. We will also demonstrate the ability to measure multiple strain components inside a host simultaneously using a single fiber sensor embedded in the host using a certain sensor type and transverse strain immunity using another sensor type. Additionally we will show the ability to measure temperature up to 100 C using fiber optic sensors.
This SOFC core technology development program will develop an integrated fiber optical sensor technology to perform real-time and high-resolution measurements in both planar and tubular fuel cells and fuel cell assembly to monitor operations and structural changes of SOFCs. The new fiber sensing solution can monitor hundreds of points in the 3D fuel cell structures with 5-mm spatial resolutions using one single optical fiber.
Polyvinyl toluene (PVT) based detectors are used in radiation portal monitors (RPMs) worldwide to detect the trafficking of illicit nuclear material. PVT scintillators, which are normally optically clear, have been observed to suffer internal fogging throughout their volume due to prolonged exposure to varying environmental conditions. These changes could lead to reduced performance for RPMs that utilize plastic scintillators. In this research, a proof of concept system, consisting of different color light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a single optical sensor (OS), were used to examine the change in light transmission through a PVT scintillator. This Optical Monitoring System (OMS), coupled with an environmentally exposed PVT detector, was tested in an environmental chamber where it was subjected to changes in temperature and humidity ranging from 55 °C at 100% relative humidity to –20 °C at 40% relative humidity. At temperatures below 10 °C, light transmission was reduced by 81% ± 8% for blue LEDs, 84% ± 5% for yellow LEDs, and 49% ± 4% for green LEDs. Similar reductions in detected light were not recorded when the OMS was tested with only air between the LEDs and OS. Therefore, the significant reductions in transmitted light were attributed to changes occurring within the PVT scintillator. These results indicate that a significant reduction in PVT opacity occurs due to wide environmental changes. A device such as the OMS could be used to track these changes and provide users an early indication that a portal monitor is suffering from reduced performance.
Optical rate sensors, in particular CCD arrays, will be used on Space Station Freedom to track stars in order to provide inertial attitude reference. An algorithm to provide attitude rate information by directly manipulating the sensor pixel intensity output is presented. The star image produced by a sensor in the laboratory is modeled. Simulated, moving star images are generated, and the algorithm is applied to this data for a star moving at a constant rate. The algorithm produces accurate derived rate of the above data. A step rate change requires two frames for the output of the algorithm to accurately reflect the new rate. When zero mean Gaussian noise with a standard deviation of 5 is added to the simulated data of a star image moving at a constant rate, the algorithm derives the rate with an error of 1.9 percent at a rate of 1.28 pixels per frame.
The authors report the progress made on the development of aerospace current and voltage sensors which use fiber-optic and optical sensing heads. These sensors are presently designed to cover ac frequencies from 60 Hz to 20 kHz. The current sensor, based on the Faraday effect in optical fiber, is in advanced development after some initial testing. The emphasis is on packaging methods and ways to maintain consistent sensitivity with changes in temperature. The voltage sensor, utilizing the Pockels effect in a crystal, has excelled in temperature tests. The authors report on the development of these sensors. The authors also relate the technology used in the sensors, the results of evaluation, improvements being made, and the future direction of the work.
An integrated-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer is used as a Fourier transform spectrometer to analyze the input and output spectra of a temperature-sensing thin-film etalon. This type of spectrometer has an advantage over conventional grating spectrometers because it is better suited for use with time-division-multiplexed sensor networks. In addition, this spectrometer has the potential for low cost due to its use of a component that could be manufactured in large quantities for the optical communications industry.
The conference presents papers on distributed sensors and sensor networks, signal processing and detection techniques, temperature measurements, chemical sensors, and the measurement of pressure, strain, and displacements. Particular attention is given to optical fiber distributed sensors and sensor networks, tactile sensing in robotics using an optical network and Z-plane techniques, and a spontaneous Raman temperature sensor. Other topics include coherence in optical fiber gyroscopes, a high bandwidth two-phase flow void fraction fiber optic sensor, and a fiber-optic dark-field microbend sensor.
On account of the concentration sensitive photoluminescence (PL) property of the lead-based Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) phase perovskite material, a novel sensing mechanism for highly selective Pb 2+ detection based on the in-situ formation of highly emissive luminescence structure matrix (C 4 H 9 NH 3 ) 2 PbBr 4 has been demonstrated. The sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for detecting Pb 2+ in complex metal cations mixture solution. This research reports a novel type of sensor mechanism based on the in-situ formation of luminescent lead-based RP phase perovskite. Here, it paves the way for developing highly selective optical sensors for detecting heavy metal cations via their corresponding luminescence structure matrix.
Purus, Inc. has commercialized a fiber optic chemical sensor using technology developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and licensed from The University of California. The basis for the sensor is the development of color within a reagent when exposed to an analyte. The sensor consists of an optrode, reagent delivery and recover system, fiber optic transmitter-receiver, controller, and display. Reagent is pumped through the optrode. Analyte diffuses across a gas permeable membrane and reacts with the reagent to form a colored product. The colored product is detected by measuring the absorbance of light from a 568 nm diode. Reagents are currently available for TCE and trihalomethanes. Initial reagent chemistry is based on the Fujiwara alkaline pyridine reaction. The optrode contacts only gas streams, but the volatility of the current analytes also allows measurements of aqueous streams, without being affected by aqueous interferents that are non-volatile. Sensitivity of the sensor has been demonstrated to 5 ppb aqueous solutions and 0.1 ppmv in flowing gas streams.
Advanced instrumentation and sensing methods are the key factor in the determination of many climate science research problems. In this Phase I STTR a laser-based diagnostic system for atmospheric temperature and water concentrations measurements was developed, this system, HALOS – High Altitude Laser Optical Sensor, employs a mid-infrared (MIR) quantum cascade laser (QCL) of the distributed feedback variety (DFB) powered by a 100 kHz rep rate ramp modulated current profile which enables spectral profiling. Measurements made during Phase I showed that HALOS can surpass the available hygrometers refresh rates while offering superior accuracy (<4%) from the low Frost Point (Tfrost) of -110°C to dew points (Tdew) at 35°C while being able to encompass sub ppm concentration at altitude and supersaturated conditions at ground level. Readings from HALOS include temperature sensitivity on the order of 0.2°C and absolute humidity sensitivity (AH) on the order of 0.010 μmol/m 3 (0.18 mg/m 3 ) at a data output rate exceeding 1 kHz. HALOS can be easily integrable in existing Department of Energy (DOE) or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conventional or remote operated aircraft having either a fixed or rotary wing.